Egypt media chief to justify gag order on hospital coverage

Egyptian prosecutors have ordered the country’s top media regulator to be summoned for questioning over his decision to issue a gag order on corruption allegations made against a children’s cancer hospital.

In a Saturday statement, the chief public prosecutor said the decision by Makram Mohammed Ahmed, head of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, constituted an “infringement” on judicial and executive authorities. He said the gag order is null and nonbinding.

Earlier, Ahmed told local media that his decision was meant to preserve the hospital’s reputation pending the completion of a probe into the corruption allegations.

Summoning Ahmed for questioning is a highly unusual step given the seniority of his position and that he was hand-picked for the job by the president.

A disbarred Lagos Lawyer, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye, has been charged before a High Court in Abuja, alongside four others over their alleged involvement in the alleged killing of Abuja business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.

Daniel Shawulu, Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board (CPWB), Bauchi, on Tuesday, disclosed that an examination would be conducted for the selection of Medical Personnel team willing to work during the 2018 pilgrimage to Jerusalem from the state.